The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the amount of rent the Council has charged her. This is because the law does not allow us to investigate complaints about the management of social housing.
The complaint
Ms X complains the Council has charged her a higher rent figure than set out in her tenancy agreement.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate complaints about the provision or management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5A schedule 5, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and her representatives.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We cannot investigate this complaint as it is about the management of social housing by the Council acting as a registered social housing provider. The law does not allow us to investigate these matters.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is about the management of social housing by the Council. The law does not allow us to investigate these complaints.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman